The seven-year-old daughter of Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin died today.
Léana, the youngest daughter of Mr Martin and his wife Mary, died peacefully in Great Ormonde Street Hospital, London.
Mr Martin and his wife said they are heartbroken at the loss of their “darling Léana”. “She was a beautiful light in our lives,” they said in a statement.
President Mary McAleese said she was deeply saddened by the news.
“Léana’s death is an unbearable loss for her parents Micheál and Mary, her brothers and sister and the wider Martin clan,” she said.
“I know the people of Ireland will feel immense sympathy for the Martin family as they face this devastating bereavement. I have conveyed my heartfelt sympathies, and those of my husband Martin and family, to Micheál and Mary.”